Bed-bottom slat



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN N. DENNETT, OF BATH, MAINE.

BED-BOTTOM SLAT.

Specification of Letters Patent No. 29,67 9, dated August 21, 1860.

To all 'whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN N. BENNETT, of Bath, in the county of Sagadahoc and State of Maine, have invented a new and useful Device called a Bed-Bottom Spring, of which the following is a full and exact description.

In constructing this bed bottom I first make a wooden slat (as shown at c in the drawings) about six feet long, two and one half inches wide, and one inch thick, (spruce being preferred as it is tough and elastic). Then I make two thin strips of wood, (represented at g and it in the drawings,) ash being preferred for its toughness,) about the same length of the slat, one inch wide and about one tenth of an inch thick, also two pieces of tough wood (represented at (Z and e in the drawings) about four and a half inches long and three fourths of an inch square. Each end of each of the last mentioned pieces has a sawscarf cut toward the center one inch long. Then I place the two thin strips (g and h) flatwise upon a plane surface parallel with each other, two and one half inches apart, taking care to have the ends even. Then I place each of the two pieces prepared with sawscarves (d and e) respectively across the two ends of the thin strips (g and h) to connect them by slipping the ends of said thin strips through the sawscarves and fastening them securely by nailing or otherwise so that no ordinary strain will draw them out. Thus we have a device somewhat resembling a ladder with no rounds except one at each end. I now place the slat (c) first mentioned in the space between the two thin strips, letting each end rest upon the two crosspieces connectin the thin strips. Then I make two blocks a and b in the drawings) about four and one half inches long, two and one half wide and two inches thick, rounding oftl the corners of one edge of each, and furnishing one of the other edges of each with two brads about a quarter of an inch long and placed about an inch and a quarter from the end of each block. Then I place the blocks (a and b) respectively across each end of the slat (c) in the position it now occupies, observing to have the bradded edges of the blocks Da and b) toward the center of the slat (c) and. also to have the ends of the blocks (a and under the thin strips (g and il.) with the rounded edges up, while the slat (c) itself is under the blocks (a and o). Now by placing the slat (c) so that the ends only are supported and at the same time pressing down gently on the center we are enabled to slide the blocks (a and b) between the thin strips (g and h) and the slat (c) each very near its respective end, and when the pressure is removed the spring of the slat (c) gives the required elasticity and flexibility to the thin strips (g and 7L).

Operation: The bed bottom spring is designed to go lengthwise of the bedstead and from six to eight are required to a bed. They are placed parallel to each other and equidistant, and are supported near the ends by two crosspieces or slats. When a bed is placed upon the springs the perfect flexibility of the thin strips (g and h) prevents the occupant from experiencing any sensation of hardness or rigidness, and at the same time the rigid slats which do not come in contact with the bed, impart'all the elasticity required.

The object of this invention is to do away with the hardness of the common slat, which it effectually docs, and at the same time more than doubles the elasticity, and by putting them lengthwise of the bedstead obviates all sagging in the center thus coinbining all the essential qualities of bedbottoms in a very simple and durable device, the cost of which is so triing las to render it of great public utility.

Vhat I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is- The combination. and arrangement of the blocks a, Z), the slat c, the blocks cl, e, and the strips g, 7L, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

JOHN N. DENNETT.

[It s] 

